Simar Seafood Cocina

Seafood restaurant · Gateway

Simar Seafood Cocina

Seafood restaurant · Gateway

3

9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin, TX 78759

Photos

Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null
Simar Seafood Cocina by null

Highlights

Coastal Mexican seafood with spicy aguachiles, grilled octopus  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin, TX 78759 Get directions

simarseafood.com

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin, TX 78759 Get directions

+1 512 386 1182
simarseafood.com
SimarATX

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Best Seafood in Austin | Eater Austin

"Gateway’s Simar Seafood Cocina channels coastal Mexico through bright, acidic dishes like shrimp aguachiles, fresh oysters, and layered ceviches. The menu leans raw and refreshing, with plenty of citrus, heat, and crunch throughout, while there’s also hot seafood soups and fish tacos galore. The dining room is sleek and modern with pops of color, perfect for a casual lunch or happy hour over micheladas and tostadas." - Darcie Duttweiler

https://austin.eater.com/maps/best-seafood-restaurants-austin-fish
View Postcard for Simar Seafood Cocina
@eater

17 of the Finest Seafood Restaurants in Austin

"The coastal Mexican seafood restaurant serves raw seafood, think oysters, shrimp aguachiles, and a variety of ceviches, in the Gateway neighborhood. There are indoor dine-in services; takeout orders can be placed online." - Darcie Duttweiler

https://austin.eater.com/maps/best-seafood-restaurants-austin-oysters-fish
View Postcard for Simar Seafood & Steak
@eater

Best Cold Food in Austin Restaurants - Eater Austin

"Among coastal Mexican seafood spot Simar Seafood Cocina’s menu are three aguachiles. One is a red-sauced traditional, another is made with spicy jalapenos and serranos, and the other is made with scallops and a black sauce." - Nadia Chaudhury

https://austin.eater.com/23320632/best-cold-food-austin-restaurants-ceviche-crudo-raw-bar-chilled-refreshing-dishes-iced
View Postcard for Simar Seafood & Steak

Hunter Richard

Google
Absolutely incredible experience! Simar Seafood Cocina blew us away. The service was truly world class, and the food? Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly priced. ANDDDD—they have a beautiful playroom for the kids! It made dining out with our 2- and 3-year-old actually enjoyable (a rare feat!). With two toddlers, eating at restaurants isn’t easy. This might’ve been the first great restaurant experience as a family in a very long time! We live in Fort Worth, but we’ll be coming back to Simar EVERY time we’re visiting family. This place is a total diamond in the rough. Highly recommend!

Nicole Jawad

Google
This was actually our second visit. My husband and I were invited last week to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. This time we invited our daughter. My husband ordered the fried red snapper last time and has been pining for it since. I enjoyed a beef burrito both times. During both visits, our servers were friendly, attentive, and accommodating. My only note is that the serving size of their rice was very small. Rice is the cheapest thing, and it could be as big of a serving as the beans.

Danielle Sandoval

Google
Truly just one of the BEST experiences I’ve ever had ever! It’s to the point that while I am eating this out of this world tres leches, I’m also writing this review. I came here to celebrate a promotion and they made me feel so special and so valued as a customer. I would recommend this place a thousand times over. Every bite I took, I would have to hold myself back from saying “oh my god” a thousand times over. Just so delicious!!!! Do yourself a favor and come here!!! Brandon my waiter was AWESOME!

Erica Cardenas

Google
Wow! Is this a hidden gem or just so spacious it feels calm?! The kids play area was such a great bonus. Dad and mom got to enjoy ourselves with great food and drinks while our toddler kept himself entertained with their toys! Highly recommend.

Raeann Guzman

Google
First time to this restaurant! And let me say it was so beautiful inside and clean. They had karaoke outside which was not planned but so fun and spontaneous! The drinks were strong but the manager’s professional hospitality was stronger ! Emmanuel made sure we had the best time and our drinks were on point! If you’re thinking of stopping . Don’t think just DO IT 😍🙌🙌🙌🙌 1000% recommend!

Adrian Schramm

Google
Octopus was delicious to hubby (I couldn't get over what it was, but it didn't taste bad to me.) I had the red snapper with poblano sauce, and it would've been a 5 if it wasn't a little overcooked. The poblano sauce is to die for, though! The tostadas were perfectly cooked and flavorful; everything was pretty damn tasty! The waitress we had was phenomenal (I believe her name is Judith.)! The ambiance was romantic and peaceful!

Tabitha Salinas

Google
Went here for my birthday dinner. The appetizers were my favorite part. Our server was so nice and explained the unknown dishes really well. I will definitely be back.

Elaina Lan

Google
My household and I came here a bit late in the day, about an hour before closing, but their service and food did NOT disappoint. The food was delicious, we got the shrimp and octopus soup, tacos narayit, ceviche tropical and mahi mahi Al cilantro! There was an issue with have cheese on my roommate who has a dairy allergy, but they apologized profusely and remade it without an issue! I literally left bursting at the seams. We will definitely be coming back again!
google avatar

Jose C.

Yelp
Really impressed about the quality of the seafood. Incredibly fresh, and the aguachile is the closest we've found to true sinaloa aguachile (a bit spicier would have made it perfect). We found the place after someone recommended for paella, while not the traditional Spanish paella, it was really tasty. Service was outstanding, appetizers were ready almost as soon as we finished ordering and recommendations were spot on. Casual ambiance with live music was just what we needed to unwind at the end of the week. We are for sure coming back soon and hopefully we'll update the review with the rest of the dishes we wanted to try.
google avatar

Joshua M.

Yelp
I hate only giving Simar 3 stars because what they did well they did fantastically, but where they failed left a bad taste in my mouth (pun intended). Let's start with the positive- the food was AMAZING. That's the most important part and they shined in all ways. My party of 6 all shared dishes they were so good. The Nachos Atún was spectacular in its simplicity and flavor. The tropical ceviche was fantastic- bright, sweet, tangy, rich, everything a ceviche should be. The Filete Florentina was wonderful, tender and flavorful but I would have loved a little more sauce. I wasn't a fan of the crunchy bacon bits on top- it seemed an out of place and unnecessary for an already delicious dish. The whole Huachinango was beautifully seasoned and cooked to tender, flaky perfection. The ribeye Simar was tender, juicy, and beautifully grilled. The Pasta Simar was equally delish. Finally, the Mostachón, a nut cake with cream and strawberries on top was a perfect wrap up to dinner. It wasn't too sweet and the texture was on point. So food-wise, Simar is a HUGE hit. Now let's address the negatives. The restaurant is in an old Marie Callendar's location, and frankly, it still looks like a Marie Callendar's. The decor looks cheap and like not a lot of thought was put into it. The lighting is bright, highlighting the lack of identity of the space, almost like Simar doesn't know what it wants to be. Keep in mind this is not a cheap restaurant- the prices are more indicative of a higher end restaurant (although worth it IMHO), so the decor, to me, should be reflective of a nicer place. I like to enjoy my surroundings as much as the food, so this was a negative to me, but some may not care. Second, a gentleman came around (not sure if he was the manager, or the Tequila Sommelier, or what), but he was very friendly, gregarious, and really chatted us up in a great way. He said he had a new tequila that he "wanted us to try." He brought over a drink cart, special glasses and poured small tasters of El Rey Del Mundo for us to try. It was a lot of fun and he put on a big show about it. We had fun with it. It seemed like he was marketing some sort of new tequila experience or something by letting us taste the new tequila. Make no mistake though, the pours were small- as would be appropriate for a test-taste. Imagine our surprise when on the bill was a charge for over $45 for tequila! We did not ask for this special treatment, we didn't order the drinks and he said he wanted us to "try it." it felt like a bait-and-switch scam to pad our bill. I would not have expected that kind of behavior from a nice restaurant. Final thoughts: the food was phenomenal, but not cheap (but worth it), the ambiance left a lot to be desired, and whatever you do, don't fall for the "tequila scam!"
google avatar

K P.

Yelp
Outstanding service! Was visiting Austin and this place was close to my lodging. Drinks were ok, food was good. Oh, the seafood soup appetizer was great! Unexpected and so flavorful. But the service is really what stands out to me. Great place, recommend to anyone.
google avatar

Tanya S.

Yelp
This place is a kind donor to the Austin Rodeo!! I attended the annual Christmas Party and fundraiser a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed with the variety of the menu, I took pictures! I am glad I did so I can include in this post and you can see for yourself!!!
google avatar

Beverly M.

Yelp
I love the idea of Simar. I grew up in Mexico City and there's nothing like a Mexican seafood restaurant. The seasoning and flavors are decidedly different from the white tablecloth establishments and absolutely wonderful when well executed. These are happy, colorful, bustling places. Simar is almost there - ambiance and friendly service, for sure... but there were a few swings and misses that took it down two notches. I ordered a classic margarita but was served something with tons of sour orange juice in it. Ugh. My seafood soup was a winner but all three of my companions thought their fish filets were quite overcooked. We all agreed that the ceviche was delicious.
google avatar

Ruth Y.

Yelp
Highly recommend checking out this hidden gem! I was a little nervous to try this place since I hadn't heard anyone mention it, but I was pleasantly surprised. FOOD: First of all, their menu is huge! They also have so much complimentary food: tortillas and crackers with salsa, a small cup of lobster-based broth, and bread with butter. We ordered the ceviche tropical, paella simar, and tacos nayarit. Not a weak dish in the bunch! Their ceviche had a nice subtlety from the jicama and sweetness from the mango. The paella was a huge portion, very shareable with another person. Their tacos were solid fish tacos. SERVICE: Our waiter was very attentive! PARKING: Plenty of parking in their lot!
google avatar

Eric T.

Yelp
This place is amazing and unique! It's my first time dining at a Mexican seafood restaurant, and it absolutely blew my mind. The paella got plenty and a variety of seafood. The grilled octopus comes in generous portion. And the Simar Caldo that's on the house has amazingly rich seafood flavor with a good blend of spice. The server is amazing, explaining each dish in detail (we can't read Spanish unfortunately) and offering a refill for caldo. The ambiance is top notch as well. A lot of decors center around the seafood theme (e.g. tentacle lamps, fish scale wall, fish bamboo light shade). Along with the chill Latin music, it's one of the best Mexican restaurants I've been hands down.
google avatar

Carl M.

Yelp
This was an interesting choice that I made last minute. It was close by my hotel on valentine's day and fortunately they had an open seat at the bar. Margaritas are great and the bartender was attentive. I ordered their version of a shrimp cocktail (ceviche) and was very satisfied with the flavors. I also had the salmon. It too was very good. As I sat there eating I was reminded of my trip to Cozumel. Also was able to catch a ballgame On the television at the bar and the live music was a a mix of acoustic classics that everyone really enjoyed. It's Just a very authentic Mexican seafood house and well worth the experience.
google avatar

Laura C.

Yelp
Great place for a business lunch or happy hour. I've taken clients and friends and they are always impressed with the food and service. I love the menu options and the attention to detail. Highly recommend.
google avatar

Gil Roy C.

Yelp
Food: 5 / 5 Service: 6 / 5 Cleanliness: 4 / 5 Parking: 4.75 / 5 Price: 5 / 5 (Priced perfectly!) One of the BEST customer service experiences I have ever had. They went up and beyond to make sure my girlfriend and I had a really good experience and it did not disappoint. The food choices here... just WOW. Might be the BEST seafood spot I have ever had in Austin so far. The margarita they offer is kinda pricey but man, it DOES THE JOB! Check out my video review: https://www.tiktok.com/@gillynova/video/7255815133518204202 Highly recommend this EASILY! - TikTok/YouTube: @gillynova

Christian G.

Yelp
Went to check out this place today. We got seated right away. Got served complimentary consume and tostadas. Pretty tasty. Waited about 10 minutes before the waiter came by to introduce himself and ask what we wanted to drink. It was fathers day so we understand its a little busy. Ordered a beer and a margarita. Waited about 15 more minutes before finally seeing him to put in our order. In the middle of putting in our order he said hold on our drinks are ready and hes going to get them. He gave us our drinks and ran over to the big party to continue serving them and forgot about us or having us put in our entrees, only appetizers. We waited another half hour, talked and finished out drinks. He was nowhere to be found. Our patience wore thin at this point so we asked for the check for the drinks and to cancel our order as we felt forgotten. They said they will get the manager to resolve this. I didnt want a manager because I dont want to complain. I just wanted to pay what we consumed and leave without a fuss. Got our check for our drinks and left. Was going to leave it at that because fathers day could be busy but it was too long of a wait and unprofessional to leave us in the middle of ordering to grab our drinks then ditch us. But conviniently after closing I get a bank notification that they're trying to charge me an extra 40 bucks in tip that I didnt sign for. Thats the lowest form of service or lack of. Will have to call to resolve the matter. It will get resolved with management or with the BBB. Save yourself the risk of shady business and find better mariscos elsewhere.
google avatar

Julie Z.

Yelp
Service was amazing, food was so so, but there's a nice hidden children's play area in the back that is amazing.
google avatar

Norma R.

Yelp
Awesome delicious seafood! We have been there twice and have not been disappointed. The food is fresh and well seasoned. We had an assortment of appetizers and they were all excellent, especially the grilled octopus. The drinks are also great! Love the ambience and the restaurant is neatly decorated. It's beautiful for a Seafood Mexican Restaurant!
google avatar

Wayne N.

Yelp
Was very pleasantly surprised by this place. I have no idea what this space used to be but loved the aesthetic of the restaurant, probably my favorite in Austin. From being able to see fish being prepped fresh, from jars of rice and beans dotting the walls, to fish/octopus lights, turquoise napkins, this place screams date night. Food is also good. They start you off with some tostadas and salsa, as well as a cup of their fish soup, which honestly still might be the best thing we had all night. That soup has it all - deeply savoy, umami, seafood breeze without being fishy. Warms the soul in every best way. Pro tip - free ceviche tostada with check in, which is totally worth it. I got the fish tostada (they also have shrimp and octopus), and it was perfectly cured and fresh. For dinner, my wife got the mar y tierra and I got the Fileta del rey. The steak on the tierra was a bit overcooked, but the chimichurri was good, as were the plump shrimp. Loved the sauce on the fileta del rey. Both come with rice and veggies and they were a perfect accompaniment.
google avatar

Dana T.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised! From the outside it doesn't appear to be as good as it is. We came in for lunch. The service was outstanding. Everyone there seemed to be happy and professional. The star of the show is the food. I had possibly the best verde enchiladas I've ever had ( not trying to overstate it). My wife had the Simar Poke. It looked and tasted amazing. We are going to come back again and sample the dinner menu.
google avatar

Lisa O.

Yelp
Customer service was good, but the food was spicy and expensive. The restaurant was very clean but they had small quantities. My girlfriend and I were not impressed.
google avatar

Daniel S.

Yelp
I honestly was just looking for a restaurant close by the movie theatre that was was fast, casual & friendly and gotta say Simar was that & more! Came here in on a not so busy early evening and was greeted as well as seated promptly. Looking around the restaurant was huge and noticed it had a Mexican seafood atmosphere. As for the food everything was wonderful from the complimentary shot of fish stew to my entree the paella Simar which was filled with a ton of chicken, seafood & chorizo in every bite. I washed it down with a mango margarita which was fresh and sweet but balanced out with the salt rim. Can't say enough how attentive the service was here as almost the whole staff checked in on us during our dining experience. They also had some happy hour food specials which we didn't partake in but may try next time we're in the north Austin area!
google avatar

Joe Z.

Yelp
Googled for dinner for seafood, I found this gem outside the downtown area. After 0.5 hr driving, I sat alone and started enjoying seafood in Mexican style. The portions were really big. After the giant appetizer, I managed to finish most of the main entree recommended by Carlos. It was a whole tasty fish. Too bad, I had no more room for dessert.
google avatar

Cynthia T.

Yelp
Fabulous seafood, paella is excellent as was the red snapper filet... definitely will be returning!
google avatar

Kaddy A.

Yelp
-The staff was really nice and super accommodating. -The atmosphere was good overall. The lighting in the patio is intense so I would recommend sitting inside at dinner time. -Guava Simar marg: 10/10. Will be coming back for more! -Fillet Rey: Delicious. -The ATX aguachiles verde: would not recommend. Note to cook: Looked delicious however I was a bit disappointed. It was bitter. Not sure if the juice was infused with lime peels or if the prep was sitting in the fridge for days. The dish was loaded with black pepper; therefore unenjoyable. The essence of the dish was lost with the overpowering flavors. (Credibility: I'm Mexican)
google avatar

Russmundo ..

Yelp
Inside decor was both unique and impressive. Ceviche tropical looked better than it tasted, a little bland. Shrimp taco and octopus tacos were outstanding! Fish taco was ok but not enough for me to even eat it. Prices were a little higher than it should be, it was not a $75 meal for tacos in ceviche. They do add a credit card service fee, which is very annoying. Our server Mariana , was awesome!
google avatar

Philip C.

Yelp
First off, typical dilemma..it's a Saturday night in Austin, the land of restaurants that close at 9:00pm and out of no where we find this wonderful new restaurant called Simar Seafood Cocino! From the moment you walk in the humble decor is what makes the restaurant so welcoming. Then...BAM you smell the amazing aroma of Grilled Octopus! The Staff is wonderful, warm and welcoming. The dining area is clean and very sanitary. And most importantly , if you have a purse there are purse and bag hangers at each table! I would like to be the first to say that there is Nothing at this restaurant that wasn't absolutely delicious. When you first walk in you freshly deep fried whole corn tortillas as chips! In addition it's paired with a fresh cucumber salsa that's highly refreshing. The red "burnt" salsa features roasted peppers, that is one of the best salsas I have had. Now onto the the food: Amuse Bouche:Everyone gets a little sip in a cup of Lobster Broth. It's delicious and sets the tone for the meal. 1.) The Grilled Pulpo!-Octopus... THE BEST GRILLED OCTOPUS in AUSTIN! This Grilled Octopus will set you back about $50 bucks. But it is a whole grilled octopus, and is grilled to soft perfection. The octopus is served with perfectly grilled vegetables and buttered vegetable rice. 2.) The Coconut Shrimp!!!! Move over Hula Hut, this fierce set of 6 delectable Coconut Shrimp is soft, can be cut with a fork, not too sweat, perfectly breaded, and served with a mango Chile sweet and sour sauce. This Coconut Shrimp is the best I have had in the continental Us and let me tell you, I've been around. Lol 3.) The Clam Chowder- It's buttery, creamy, full of clams and potatoes and herbs. The potatoes are not overbearing and the salt is perfect 4.) the Paella- Delicious, could use more saffron 5:) Peche Veracruz- Get the aioli sauce! Soft, deep fried, delicious. This is by far one of the best restaurants I have been to with a lovely server named Isabella. I done out a lot, and the quality of servers has declined in terms of personality and just good attitude and helpfulness. The service here from everyone especially ours is the best service we have received in a long time. You just go here and try everything, it's sure to be a new favorite!

Scheryl C.

Yelp
I was in the mood for seafood and found this restaurant on Google Maps. I didn't read a single review. This was by far the BEST meal I've had in a LONG time! I ordered a peach margarita, which had just the right blend of sweetness and strength. My main course was the Simar pasta with shrimp and Florentine sauce. It was SO decadent! I think the cook must have used a whole tub of butter! It was a huge portion, but I had skipped lunch and managed to finish it off. The service was spectacular. I don't know if I'll ever make it back to Austin, but if I do, I'm definitely going back!
google avatar

Paul R.

Yelp
Let's just cut to the chase the other 5-star reviews are spot on. Simar serves wonderful fresh coastal Mexican seafood. Peace out.... But, Yelp is telling me that I'm leaving you hanging so here goes.... Starters: Flat bread and dipping sauces arrived with a small side of fish broth. We had to hold back on the bread as we were going to ruin our lunch. The sauces were not hot but favorable with a tad bit of heat. Their ceviches come highly recommended so we ordered their Tropical Ceviche. This is shrimp with mango and chilies. To be honest we were expecting a bit more on the flavor side but it was still good. We inquired as to why they did not offer a combination ceviche (shrimp, scallops, fish...). Our server said that could accommodate that request, next time. While waiting for our entrees to arrive we did see their Coctel Simar go by and it is a fine looking shrimp cocktail. We thought it was a bloody Mary. Next visit for sure. The table next to us ordered grilled octopus. The diner remarked that it was cooked perfectly, next time. Their paella dish looked awesome as well, next time. There will be a few next times. I ordered the Swordfish Al Tajin. Their description: Swordfish rubbed with chile-lime salt grilled and served with coconut shrimp served with rice and salad. I must say the summer salad was a perfect starter for this entree. The swordfish was a healthy portion spiced perfectly and cooked to perfection. If you have cooked swordfish you know that it could turn rubbery in a heartbeat. The coconut shrimp were large and not fried/dried at all. Plus 1 ordered the Pasta Simar. This wonderful dish includes homemade flat ribbon pasta, jumbo shrimp, and a creamy poblano sauce. I can't describe how rich and savory this dish was. We both immediately noticed that the pasta was made in-house. This and that: There is a full bar with a number of tropical-themed drinks offered. Their servers are knowledgeable and will assist you with ordering. They also offer a pretty generous happy hour. We are already planning our next visit....
google avatar

Vivian L.

Yelp
Honestly probably my favorite seafood restaurant in Austin. We had the Primavera ceviche, tacos tri Mariscos, and paella and all were 10/10. Primavera ceviche was refreshing and came with a side of tostadas. Tacos were delicious... I think my fav was the octopus. Paella is a large portion and filling, had to take leftovers home! Waitress was nice and answered all our questions. Food service was pretty fast too. The restaurant has an upscale beachy resort restaurant vibe.
google avatar

Dan M.

Yelp
Dropped in for dinner while in Austin based on the good reviews. The place is beautiful and the service feels like a family owned restaurant. The menu is incredible! If you want to get a sense of what it's like to eat seafood on the western coast of Mexico, run to this place. They served the best Ceviche if ever had!!! Feels like a trip to Mexico, and I'll be back.
google avatar

Jenifer Damelis C.

Yelp
Yummy food and the best service! You can definitely tell they are happy working there. Went on a Thursday and it was karaoke which was definitely entertaining. You need to order the cocktail and chile relleno with shrimp!
google avatar

Ashley M.

Yelp
The servers were nice (when we could find them lol) my bestie and I went for happy hour and we were the only 2 in there except for one other lady; so I guess that's why they were walking around much. Although we sat in the front at the bar.... I was extremely disappointed in the amount of money I spent for food I ended up throwing away. My friend got the seafood soup which she enjoyed. The fish/seafood broth that came with the chips and salsa was really good (I should've just order more of that. The rice was old and dry, peas were dry as hell and my fish had absolutely no flavor. They forgot the bacon that was supposed to be on it so they gave me a side of bacon. My friend said the second time she came they gave her the wrong fish... I don't think I'll be back, I prefer my lil mom and pop Mexican spots anyway
google avatar

Mary Ó.

Yelp
Excellent new seafood restaurant in northwest Austin! A hidden gem that hasn't gotten overcrowded yet. We got the guacamole with shrimp as an appetizer, then the shrimp salad and grilled octopus entrees. Simar is setting the bar on grilling octopus, it's usually hard finding a place that does it right. Servers and hosts were super friendly and helpful. Definitely planning to return soon.
google avatar

Kim H.

Yelp
I love this place! 3rd time here and this time brought a group. We started off with the tuna nachos. Spicy with the jalapeños but could easily be removed to make it mild. Comes with an order of 5. Also the got the octopus ceviche to start but couldn't take a pic before my party got into it. I think the tropical ceviche is probably my favorite tho. I got the tres amigos and saved the ribs for the next day so I wasn't messy eating with my hands. All of it was really good. The lobster that my friend ordered was probably the best thing on the table but that seafood soup was also really good too. Must save room for that banana cheesecake. Very mild on the Banana flavor and doesn't overpower the cream cheese flavor
google avatar

Michelle N.

Yelp
Came here for a lunch event and it was AMAZING. The food came out perfectly with our schedule and the employees took great care of us. I'm a cucumber hater and I loved their cucumber. Their Avocado was fresh and absolutely perfect. I really enjoyed my poke bowl.
google avatar

Stacie H.

Yelp
Simar is a good find. The free ceviche with Yelp check in is a winner and an awesome first exposure to the Mexican seafood specialties. We visited during happy hour (Monday - Friday 3-7p) and enjoyed the discounted guava margaritas. I would skip the pepi sushi as it's mainly just cucumber. Our waitress was genuinely so sweet and made our dining experience a pleasant one. She recommended the filete rey and it was an excellent choice - savory and filling. The tiny garlic bread wrapped in foil that comes with the entrees was a fun and tasty surprise. I made a reservation for Simar via OpenTable and I was surprised when later that evening my reservation had been cancelled even though I had already dined there, reservation placard and all. Perhaps still working out some issues.
google avatar

Erin M.

Yelp
This was a really nice seafood Mexican restaurant. They start you with a welcome cup of spicy seafood broth and some tostadas and salsas. We had a shrimp appetizer and shrimp tacos, both were excellent. We also ordered a couple cocktails, the Mr ocho was VERY very spicy. The basil smash was very sweet even though they told us it didn't have any simple syrup when we asked, it also didn't have any basil or mint at all! They said "the mint flavoring may be giving it a sweet taste". Was too sweet to drink. The rum with pineapple juice was good and not sweetened which we liked. Will definitely be back the next time we visit Austin. Oh and a final note about all Austin restaurants in general, it is beyond me why every restaurant in Austin doesn't serve reverse osmosis or bottled/filtered water. The tap water in this city is UNDRINKABLE. Neither of us could choke down the glasses of tap water we were served. It's like the worst strong muddy-moldy taste I can describe.

Jaime V.

Yelp
From out of town. I'm a good judge of Mexican seafood restaurants. This place. Spot on. Take otmakes you feel your dining in. Food even better
google avatar

John S.

Yelp
Lackluster service. Place smelled of spoiled fish. Waiter missed our order of ceviche for starter and was vacant for most of our meal. Also, had to ask for chips for the ceviche after he brought it without them. We ordered the Red Snapper Veracruz and Grilled Octopus. Both were highly overcooked and hastily plated. Why plate a salad on the edge of a plate so that the dressing flows onto and under the fish, making it taste like salad dressing? Crab bisque tasted old and bitter. I grew up on the Gulf Coast where we caught and cooked our own crabs. I know old crab when I taste it at a restaurant. Octopus ceviche (though missed in our original order) saved this from a two star review. It was good. My wife's Berry Cocktail was mostly ice, little to no alcohol and flavorless. Served in a water glass. Bottom line: For the price, MUCH more was expected. We will try it again because it could have been an off day, but one more "meh" and we're done. Edit; Owner states in response to other reviews that the odor issue was resolved in May of 2022. Well Ma'am, I and a lot of other displeased customers can assure that it is not as of Dec 13th 2022. In fact, if we return and it still smells like this, it may be prudent to involve the Health Dept.
google avatar

Raquel A.

Yelp
Service was great even though I could see they were short handed. Food was flavorful. Recommend
google avatar

Jeff L.

Yelp
I really liked this place, I don't throw out 5 stars too often but this qualified. I was by myself on a business trip across the street at Courtyard Marriott and my qualifying question was did they have a bar with a TV to watch the NCAA National Championship game. There was nobody else at the bar and they were not super clued into the game but they put it on anyways. Great dinner, wonderful free chip (big chip like tostada size) with some nice very different relish/salsas. I had 3 maricosos tacos that were amazing (Fish, Shrimp and Otopus) and then if you check in on-line you get a free additional ceviche, yummy!!! Great place and full bar that was pretty well pricesd. For $35 out the door with a large beer is a bargain these days.
google avatar

Christina G.

Yelp
1st visit, Friday date night. Made a resy for 2 same day, 7:30pm. We were greeted and seated immediately. There was live music, man on a marimba and a couple of keyboards. I believe it was Calypso style music. Our server was so nice and attentive! I had the house margarita on the rocks. Next time I'll ask for less ice . We were served complimentary mini cup of the lobster soup (great flavor with a littleheat), as well as some dips and crackers. I really liked the cucumber dip. Delicious! We started with oysters. They were served with a sweet chili sauce and some type of sweet vinegar sauce. I really liked it. We were then served house salads, that was unexpected. The salad had mixed greens, pecans, strawberry, raisins and onions with a ranch dressing. I had the lemon pepper flounder, it was good. Just watch out for them tiny bones. You are able to sib sides. They have veggies and they are good with that yellow rice. Anywho, I look forward to eating here again and again. The service was friendly and prompt. The food was delicious and the music was great.
google avatar

Rolando N.

Yelp
We were dying to try a new seafood restaurant and be wowed. This place WOWed us! It's Caribbean style seafood and they hit the flavors for this style of cuisine. The Garlic shrimp were spectacular. Huge shrimp dripping in their deep garlic sauce. Delicious! The Coconut shrimp were perfect. Plump and coated in crispy coconut goodness. Just perfect. The Cocktail Simar is reminiscent of shrimp cocktails from the Yucatán. Huge shrimp as well as smaller shrimp in the soupy sauce. Delicious! Service was friendly and attentive. Will be back.
google avatar

Thet M.

Yelp
First time we are having dinner and we got seated pretty quick. We ordered ceviche and mussels as appetizers. baby octopus ceviche was too sour and mussels are too tiny and no meat at all. For our main entree, we ordered paella, fried tilapia and sword fish grilled. We also got kids meal of grilled fish with fries. Entrees were tasty and big portions. I ordered guava margarita and it was pretty good. We will try desserts next time!!
google avatar

Jaimie J.

Yelp
Everything about this restaurant is amazing. The abundant parking, the wide open lobby, the glass peering into the kitchen, the design, the gorgeous interior detail, the friendly smiling faces throughout, I mean I could go on and on and I haven't even mentioned the food yet. Service was impeccable. From the moment we arrived to when we walked out the doors, smiling faces all around. Immediately after being seated a lovely lady brought us some complimentary seafood soup - sooo good, and salsas, tostadas (very good tostadas!!) and saltines. David was there to take care of us as our waiter and he was very professional yet personable, and was very in tune with the guests. Absolute top notch service. Ok!! Now to the food.... Checked in on Yelp to get a free tostada (your choice of fish, shrimp or octopus). We got fish. Very generous portion size - they did not skimp just because it was free. 9/10 Aguachile Verde - so fresh and so spicy good. I usually go for verde because it's usually less spicy than the others, still spicy of course because of the serranos but sooo good!! I let the shrimp sit in the juice a little so it can cook more. Best aguachile I've had in TX. 10/10. Snapper Veracruz filet - WOW. Just wow. The best snapper I've had!!! The flavor, texture, capers added to the sauce.... Amazing all around. 11/10!!! Fried Tacos Nayarit - tilapia but didn't taste like tilapia at all (in a good way!!!) tilapia is never my first choice but this was the fish they use for their fish tacos, and the flavor of the fish was very good. Overall they were a little on the dry side - I could have used some chipotle sauce or mayo on them which I'll ask for next time! 7/10. Mostachón - very light yet firmly packed pecan cake. The strawberries and cream on top were a nice touch. 8/10. We will definitely be back to try other items :)

Scott B.

Yelp
We had fantastic ceviche, great margaritas, and great service. I think this place is a hidden gem. Try it, you won't be disappointe.
google avatar

Bette P.

Yelp
We love it here, the booze is good and we love our bartender Annamaria. But, unfortunately the food is a hit or miss. We've visited SS&S soo many times, will continue to visit as the oysters are nice and their ceviches but their bigger items/entrees aren't always fresh and are often prepared not tasting the same as before. The best part on their menu is the soup, yall should try that. restaurant is pretty big, great for large tables and the bar is nice. There's no ambience but its nice to hang and be with family.
google avatar

Jess J.

Yelp
My friend took me here for a birthday dinner since we've both been wanting to try this place. The decor is so cute and vibrant, the staff is super friendly. I ordered a seafood paella and it was so flavorful and even the octopus wasn't overly chewy/cooked to perfection! My friend ordered the scallops and she loved them as well. I'd say I would definitely come back to try other dishes since they have such an extensive menu :)
google avatar

Camille J.

Yelp
Stumbled upon this place but it's truly a gem! Such cute (aquatic themed) decor inside and delicious seafood dishes. The prices are reasonable as well and our server was very friendly, attentive, and helpful.
google avatar

Jesse A.

Yelp
This place hit the spot. We listened to our server Isabella for their recommendations. Their Primavera Ceviche and the Grilled Oysters definitely stood out. Loved the whole atmosphere and food. The drinks compliment the food very well also. The tamarindo margarita was delicious.
google avatar

Susan C.

Yelp
Food was cold, and the service and atmosphere needed attention. Loud and smelled like bleach water.
google avatar

Med F.

Yelp
Mango coconut shrimp was good. Paella lacked flavor and depth. Tropical ceviche was good. Service was friendly and fast. Guitar player was a bonus. The place is big and clean with the bar area is very nice. Prices are on the high side but somewhat expected given the high prices of seafood.
google avatar

Sergio G.

Yelp
I'll start with the pros. - margaritas are delicious and huge - octopus was delicious - servers are very understanding and very kind - live music Cons - mojitos use mint syrup (and they put a shot of it in there (tasted like menthol and even after asking it to be remade it still tasted like a cough drop) - ceviche is presented beautifully but has like 80% onions and carrots and 20% fish. - temp was messed up on 3 out of 3 ribeyes. - dessert was dry and you can tell was just kept refrigerated. Chocolate cake was dry and inedible. Flan was their only saving grace - after paying $150 you get very little feeling satiated. Won't return. Went with a party of 6 and the only people who enjoyed their food were the ones who got octopus. Margaritas kept everyone happy and no cons to the servers who tried their best (not their fault). Restaurant also has a service fee added additional to tip. Not sure why I'm paying extra for the staff, the tip should reflect the service but I already sent back a ribeye and a few drinks myself. I just wanted to be out.
google avatar

Rachel A.

Yelp
I've been eyeing this place for over a year now and finally had a chance to come here with my husband. WOW, everything we got was so yummy! From the complimentary tortilla chips with salsa, cucumber and a sample of their fish & shrimp broth, to their ceviche de pulpo (grilled octopus) Pescado Dorado (fried tilapia) and Paella Simar ....everything was soooo delicious!! Portion sizes were great and the presentation of the food looked fantastic! Will definitely be back soon!